Wulfe returned Ovo's nod with a wide smile that masked the initial confused look he might have sent the way of the dwarf. While it was true that many had ventured into Caithness Wulfe still was not familiar enough with the people to not have the shock-like reaction when he saw one.

"Aye, well met Ovo.

Be sure to take your fill of drink. I know the road can be a thirsty place" he said taking a final pull of his own drink before wiping his mouth and being somewhat disappointed that Ben had not had the time to draw a map but it was never prudent to keep a king waiting and so he set down the mug and walked to the page and casually, unthinkingly, ruffled his hair in greeting with a wide grin. (OOC: An annoyance to them, to be sure - but a friendly gesture)


The journey to audience was not long and Wulfe used it to become acquainted with the gait and odd proportions of the dwarf. "Ovo, you are from the mountains of Zarak? Those that have suggested to Ben that Caithness might be able to help with their predicament? " he asked casually as they were walking.

---

The audience room was certainly not what Wulfe expected, a large round table was a good touch to make people not just feel like underlings and inwardly Wulfe appreciated the sentiment and compliment. Despite the initial feelings as he entered the room his eyes sharpened to the point and bore down on the man that tried to remove his sword and long knives but he reluctantly accepted the challenge as protocol with an irritated order for the guardsman to bring them back as soon as he was done.

Walking into the room without the weight of a sword on his hip, or the rigid feeling of a long knife against his back and in his boot felt alien. It was as if somebody had removed an arm and two fingers; Wulfe was used to having a blade about his person at all times but now was reduced to a man and the dinner dagger that sat on his belt. A chuckle escaped his lips as he considered waving it threateningly at somebody in an attempt to deter their armed assault.

Of instinct, and more of the loyalty he felt to Airis, WUlfe ushered the dwarf and the other guests to sit at the table so that he could be between them. Being in the way of harm was a habit one did have to cultivate and it was no good being on the edge of chaos when things, if things, ever went wrong. "If you can just sit here gentlemen ..." he said stumbling the last word with the confusion of how to address a dwarf



OOC: I suspect that Wulfe knows all of the 15 guards in the room, and in fact is one of their officers, right?

If that is the case and he is the lieutenant of the guard and they are guards, would Wulfe be spared the removal of his weapon?

Wulfe is not required to remove his weapons... Much to the ire of Ovo. He is indeed one of the Lieutenants of these guards.

Ovo will be most reluctant to part with his Axe.

In reply to Wulfe The Pretty (msg # 21):

When Wulfe greeted him the dwarf nodded back and when he commented about walks and thirst and such...

"Aye! That it does lad. Those that came afore me said that ye be good folk and were nay niggardly wi' yer ale and beer. It pleases me that." he said wiping the foam beard with his forearm.

When asked about advising Geden and turning them hither, the dwarf nodded once more.

"Aye! I be from Solginel! That be true enough n' me uncle did send Ben hither for ah redes wi' yer folk. Those o' Geden be good folk n' neighbors that be also true. The dwarfs o' Zarak hold no grudges against the Empire ya see n' they us. So, we thought it be best if Ben sought some o' his own folk out is all."

---

Ovo looked about thinking they were headed to a throne room of sorts but he was surprised by all the seats. When the guards asked for his weapons, the dwarf bristled and his face became flushed.

"Wot? I give ye me word upon this 'ere axe n' on the name o' me uncle, the King o' Solginel, I nay mean ye nor your King any harm. Where I'm from it nay be good manners ta fill one up with beer n' such then say ye can't be trusted enough ta carry wot ya came with! If I can nay be trusted then I'll nay be stay'n. Me uncle can send another n' ye can kiss me axe ya can!"" the last said in a near snarl as he held his axe in white knuckled hands.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Fri 05 Aug 2016.

Oh let him bring it a sweet looking girl said... I'll see that he hurts no one with it.

The King and Queen are sitting on a dais looking over the table from the opposite side...

Leave the Dwarf his Axe... come in and have a seat, have some Drinks brought for these men, they have traveled far I hear.  The King Commands

In reply to Chloe (msg # 24):

The dwarf's head whipped around at the words of Chloe. It seemed he was about to shout something else but he merely nodded to the sweet girl.

"Yer job'll be the easiest here this eve. I gave me word n' I mean ta keep it."

---

When the king spoke, Ovo walked forward and nodded with deference.

"My thanks Majesty. Greetings I bring thee from me uncle. If I may aid ye while I'm here, ye need only ask."

His eyes went wide when he saw the King's elvish bride.

"Majesty... " was all he could manage as he averted his eyes.

In reply to Ovo Goldenshield (msg # 26):

John, having settled into his role as ambassador to the Dragons, waited to hear the full details of what might transpire.

Wolfe grinned widely as Chloe spoke and made to ruffle her hair as he moved into place at the table. Noticing the King and queen he curtly bowed, more of a nod, but continued to place himself in between the travellers and the royals. At the suggestion of both Chloe and the queen Wolfe nodded to the guards to allow the dwarf his axe... He would be an obstacle to any assault anyway; he grinned at the thought.

After people had been offered a drink Wolfe tried to dance on formality and introduced the guests to the King and queen. His ability to do so in a presentable way for high society was limited and soon he became entangled in his own words. With a shrug of his shoulder he returned to a simple introduction and simple words.

He then sat to listen to the discussion.

Airis had always been remarkable in her beauty but dressed as a noble brought out even more of it and the man felt a vicarious sort of happiness for his King and that he had some small part in helping her realise her potential.




Ooc: my posting from an iPad so forgive any errors

The King smiles at Wulfe's attempts to use the formal forms, when he lapses into the simpler introduction he murmurs, Much better Wulfe.

Well met, Ben of Hawks Hold and Ovo Goldenshield... do tell us some back ground and enlighten us as to the goings on of past months in that light.

Ovo stood and nodded again "You Honor me Uzbad*. I have nay much to say save I acted as a guide for Ben here. He sought out my uncle for advice about their trouble wi' Megalos. Our folk thought ye may give the lad n' the good folk o' Gelen better advice than we could. The dwarfs of Zarak have nay qualms wi' the Empire and they wi' us. Me uncle thinks its best to stay that way for now."

He seemed that he was about to sit down but thought better of it.

"Me Uncle sends his congratulations upon yer marriage. The folk o' Zarak wish ye many years o' happiness, good fortune, and much wealth together."

Lastly, he turned to Aris "Congratulations to ye!"

He then sat down and took a long pull from his beer.

---

Uzbad- dwarvish word for King.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Sun 07 Aug 2016.

The Kings brow furrows at the strange word... Husband? he whispers loudly and looks at Airis ...  Airis too looks a bit confused too.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:26, Sun 07 Aug 2016.

Wulfe had sat and let the dwarf tell his piece to the king and only realised that he'd just edited the word from memory that was used that he did not himself understand. Uzbad. Wulfe stifled a chuckle and grinned widely at the supposed confusion. Thinking back to the words however Wulfe wasn't sure that husband wasn't the word used and supposed it was just the thick accent of the dwarf that had slipped his ear.

Ovo peered over his tankard, it near his lips "Well? Ye are, are ye not? Her husband I mean. That twould make Lady Airis a Azbad... yer Queen."

He looked over at Wulfe with a big smile and foam in his beard "Glad ta have that settled aye! Best Ben here be tell'n ye the news as he knows it yer Majesty

So this "Husband" word is King in Dwarvish?

Wulfe nodded at Conall as he asked the question, not really answering per se but following his internal monologue as it explained the confusion to his own mind. He'd have to remember the word. "Husband", king; "As bad", queen. He chuckled to himself and wondered if Airis was as bad as that - his grin returned as he laughed at his own inner joke.


After Conall had settled his own misunderstanding, one which Wulfe felt far beyond his own station to point out, Wulfe nodded to Ben and indicated to the king and queen that he had come from Gedan "Sirs, it is Ben that came from Megalos to request the aid of Caithness... he said, keeping his introduction simple this time and leaving the end of his sentence hanging for the man to continue.

Wulfe suspected that maybe the introductions and his acting as intermediary wasn't required, or even to be done but given his familiarity with the Lady Airis, John coupled with his thankfulness to the king for his appointment and newing acquiantance with the dwarf and Ben he felt some responsibility in ensuring everything went smoothly. Wulfe lifted his coarse fingers to his chin and stroked the bristling new-beard as he considered that perhaps rather than any sense of obligation to duty he just had a pressing desire to ensure that the sought help was offered.

Ben stands and introduces himself... He says  Rupert, the current leader in Geden would like a trade agreement and some assistance in procuring things to help defend our lands. He can afford to pay right now and would prefer to... he could use Copper, pottery, cloth of many sorts, Leather goods, Wood for building, Feathers for sleeping gear and wood for bows. No doubt other things will be needed, but these are an important start, he has been given some jewels to defray the costs...

Ben pulls out a Pouch and spills a nice pile of glittering gems on the table... the bag holds a good bit more.

You will need to assess their value in Caithness of course, but Rupert feels you will be fair to him.

So you wish to establish trade through us... covertly I gather? and have the ability to purchase and ship these goods back to your country ... Over the Mountains?

Twas the plan as I understand it... your highness. Ben replies

So Ovo, how easy will it be to move wagons and pack trains over the mountains to Geden?

Ovo shook his head. His braided beard whipped about!

"Ye'll nay be get'n any wagons through those mountains King Conall. Nay! Caravans wi' pack horses... though mules be better... will be hard enough. Those mountains be high and there be snow besides."

He paused a heartbeat or two.

"Nay! It twould be hard it would. I may speak ta me uncle... I mean there are ways under ground ye know. Away from prying eyes. Mayhaps we can reach some sorta agreement but I can nay promise anything."

And would these underground passages allow wagons or caravans?

The dwarf took another long pull from the tankard in front of him.

"Well... nay all of them... well... nay most of them least ways. Ya see the tunnels be made fer folk o' me height n' bearing. Most animals bred up 'ere nay like our tunnels either. Most like I would recommend mules. they be the best suited ya see. Even those beast can be temperamental under all that rock."

He then paused and pursed his lips before he continued.

"There be ah set o' tunnels that were sealed sum centuries past. Long unused ye might say. Inside there were orcs n' goblins... n' such, that's why they be sealed in the first place. But that twas ah long long time ago. By me figur'n that be the shortest n' widest o' the tunnels ta Gelen. Me Uncle, the King, may open them up once more if some trade n' goods there by twere ta stay in his lands o' Zarak. Again I van promise this will happen but we can plead our case."

Wulfe listened to the back and forth between the King and the dwarf and then he spoke out unaware that he was doing so to the world - thinking out loud was a character flaw the often had Wulfe in trouble.

"Hard to supply any kind of force without carts. Doubt that mules would be able to carry enough by themselves his hand had not left his chin and he continued to stroke his proto-beard as he looked off into infinity somewhere in the roofing of the chamber.


"and cleared of orcs and goblins... never fought one of those before" he said before coming into the realisation that he'd been speaking outloud. He looked around the room wide-eyed and then to the royals. His naturally tanned skin took on a a darker reddish colour as he blushed lightly and then straightened his back to sit up straight.

You think for us all Wulfe... with such tunnels, it would be possible, without them it would be exceptionally difficult. I think we must get your King's commitment to this, to proceed, Ovo. Orcs have been gone from these lands for a hundred years and Goblins are all but unknown except for a few traders from Megalos. So we need to send an embassy to your king then?

Wulfe nodded and added "Your highness, if these tunnels were to be used then it could be worth sending me with a unit of soldiers to ensure that the tunnels were wiped clean to ensure the safe trade between the lands. It seems to me like it would be the best route to take.

I understand that Orcs have been pushed from Caithness for a good long while but under the rock and mountains this may not be the case. I've only ever caught glimpse of a dwarf before, and i suspect that was just a short man, but from what I know many of them live in the mountain area. If they can live there out of sight, my guess is that an orc, sneaky as they are could do the same.
he didn't like to contradict the king directly, but felt that any trading caravan that would not only help Gedan, but Caithness as well would be a great endeavour and to leave the trader-folk to the whim of the orc seemed a bad way to start such a relationship.